(to cassnova5424: That was what I intended to do originally)

(to The Scotchieest Elf: OMG I've been thinking how Ophis would react to Rimuru. It's been in my mind since the beginning to have Rimuru travel and crossover to other stories, but that won't come any time soon. Might happen IF I manage to finish this story and decide to make a sequel. I haven't read on dxd)

(As for Chloe? Well, let's just say time and space go hand in hand. I won't be dealing with her in a long time)

(I see many men of culture reading my story. Indeed, Ciel is truly best girl)

After asking some guards directions for an inn, Rimuru carried a sleeping Jack over to his destination. The boy had fallen asleep in his arms after what happened earlier. He could have carried him around while he searched for a way to get a permanent living space, but he opted not to. For now, he would let the boy rest, and when he got better they would search together. He'd prefer if the boy chose the place himself so that he could fit in more easily. Again, it wouldn't be that easy, but with time he'll eventually get used to Rabianigh.

As he walked around, he saw people putting on decorations all over the place. It seemed the Blade was right. There was a festival nearing. This might do good for the boy, then.

From the way the old demon said, it seemed that enrollment hadn't begun yet. He would need to ask for more information from him later, but not now. After booking a room, he went in and set the boy down to the bed. He pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.

"What should I do, Ciel?" he suddenly asked.

{Instructions unclear. What do you mean?}

He sighed, then answered, "This is unlike what I've experienced with my other students. I've never been this up close and personal with them even though we were close. I always tried to remain professional and fair to all my students."

He leaned to the chair as he continued, "With this boy, however, I have no one else to keep in check. Nobody else to worry over whether I gave them enough attention or not."

Running a hand through his hair, he asked, "Was this what all my students felt when they were summoned? Did I do the right thing by including all of them, or did I abandon them because I could never get this close to them?"

"Was this the reason why they left?" he asked absentmindedly.

Ciel didn't answer for a while.

After a few minutes, she said, {I do not believe you did the wrong thing, master. You have done your best with your previous students, and you are trying your hardest to help this one grow. Please, don't doubt yourself again master.}

Rimuru smiled and said, "I remember when I asked these kinds of questions to you long ago."

Back when he'd just returned from Ingrassia only to see the bodies of his own people. He'd asked the Great Sage if he were at fault because of his actions and words. The Great Sage back then wouldn't be able to answer him like this.

"You've changed a lot, you know?" Rimuru exclaimed.

{Do you not like it?}

He quickly shook his head, "No, it's not like that. I love it very much."

After a brief moment of silence, she said, {You have changed too, master.}

Rimuru tilted his head, "How so?"

{Having to worry about a single individual instead of many. You don't need to worry about keeping up your image as the supreme deity, and instead are able to converse with other people normally again after a long time. I have to say it has been quite a while since you've expressed yourself this freely.}

Rimuru blinked in surprise.

Huh. Ciel was right. It had been very long since he had let himself run wild. Managing the multiverse had always meant business. He couldn't play with his friends because they too were always busy.

"What do you think about my change, Ciel?" he was curious to hear what she thought of this.

{I couldn't be happier for you, master.}

Damn.

Ciel had always managed to soothe him with just her words.

"You know, for someone not interested in a relationship, you're making it impossible for me to not want you, Ciel," he answered softly.

He heard her chuckle in amusement. He thought that laugh could make even the dead rise up in glee.

{You are the one refusing to move on, master.}

It was true. Ciel had suggested multiple times in the past for him to find a spouse other than her. She said that she didn't mind; that she would serve him no matter what. He had shut her up by saying, "How can anyone be a better choice compared to you after you've said that?"

He sighed once more, but for a different reason.

He answered, "I guess it's my own fault then. I'll be single for eternity. How terrible."

{It's okay, master. Single or not, you are still the best.}

"See what I mean? I'm falling deeper for you every time you say something like that," he complained playfully.

{Then, do you want me to stop?}

Evil. Just, pure evil. Like he said, this AI always took advantage of him every time he wanted her to stop being so lovable.

"All right, you win. Do whatever you want," he relented.

Ciel didn't continue, but he could almost taste the smugness she was currently emitting.

"Then, while we're waiting, you wanna watch a movie?" he suggested.

{Affirmative.}

He suggested, "Then what about Big Mam--"

{No.}

He cackled as he heard her tone shift into a very deadpanned one.

...

"Are you sure you're willing to bet your sword on me, master?" Thomas asked as they walked.

"Boy, if I had no faith in my apprentice, then what kind of master would I be?" answered the Blade seriously.

He then continued, "Stop doubting yourself. Even when nobody else believes in you, I will."

The boy smiled softly.

His master wasn't lying when he said that. Even when his brothers looked down on him, when his father refused to acknowledge him, when his mother left him to fend for himself, his master refused to leave his side.

He grasped his master's cloak and said, "Thank you for believing in me, master."

His master just grunted.

...

In the middle of the night, a shadowy figure could be seen standing on the wall of Rabianigh. If one were to look more closely, they would be able to figure out that this person was just wearing all black, albeit from his face mask all the way to his toes. Between his index and thumb, he was holding a silver ring.

The information gatherer Volgoa spoke to himself, "It looks like she was right. All paths lead to home."

(Question: What do you use to read the fanfics of this site? Do you use a computer/laptop, or from the browser through mobile, or the official app?)

(Another question: If you write stories, then where do you write them? In a book? On your computer? Or on your mobile device?)